Four Killed As Civilian Helicopter Crashes Off Israeli Coast

All four people on board a civilian helicopter were killed after it crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Israel on Tuesday, said officials and local news reports.

Local news reports indicated that the ill-fated aircraft was carrying tourists when it crashed off Sironit Beach, near the city of Netanya, some 18 miles north of Tel Aviv.

It is understood that Israeli authorities launched a search operation for the victims and the wreckage after witnesses informed them about the accident.

Authorities have recovered the bodies of all the four victims of the crash, and one of them was reported to be a 43-year-old British tourist. Israeli authorities are yet to disclose the identities of the victims.

Israeli aviation authorities said that the helicopter was heading north after taking off they have from Sde Dov airport when it crashed. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the accident.